Day of Mourning: Remembering Those Who Lost Their Lives to Workplace Injuries and Diseases

From 2005 to 2014, 35 people have lost their lives due to work-related causes in the BC tourism and hospitality industry - that is 35 too many.

The national Day of Mourning, held annually at the end of April, commemorates workers who lost their lives due to workplace injuries or diseases.

The Day of Mourning was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, eight years after the day of remembrance was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress. The Day of Mourning has since spread to about 80 countries around the world and has been adopted by the AFL-CIO and the International Confederation of Free Trade. The Canadian flag on Parliament Hill will fly at half-mast and workers will light candles, don ribbons and black armbands and observe moments of silence. Businesses are asked to participate by declaring April 28 a Day of Mourning and to strive to prevent workplace deaths, illnesses and injuries. We hope that the annual observance of this day will strengthen the resolve to establish safe conditions in the workplace for all. It is as much a day to remember the dead as it is a call to protect the living.

Every year, WorkSafeBC, the B.C. Federation of Labour, the Business Council of British Columbia and other organizations host public ceremonies to honour the occasion. This year ceremonies will be held in several regions around the province.